青铜瓶考识——以包山楚墓出土的“直颈平肩器”为中心

瓶是常见于先秦至汉代文献中的一种器物,出土青铜器中也有若干自名或者被学者定名为"瓶"的文物,但是这些器物要么名不符实,要么形制特殊,并未呈现出有规律的形制特征。1986年湖北荆门包山2号楚墓出土的青铜直颈平肩器,为解决"瓶"的定名问题提供了重要的线索。从器物的形态、功用以及在墓葬中的组合等方面综合分析,可以证明该类器物应该就是文献中所说的"瓶"。这种青铜瓶目前所见有16件左右,主要流行于战国时期。西汉早期以后,青铜质地的瓶走向了消亡,汉代的瓶多以陶质为主,为生活实用器,往往与井、灶等配套出土。另外青铜瓶在青铜礼器中的地位很高,其在形制上与战国秦汉时期流行的蒜头壶、青铜锺、投壶、等也有着明显的区别。

A study of Bronze Ping:Centered on the Vessel With Straight Neck and Flat Shoulder Unearthed From the Chu Burial of Baoshan

Ping is a kind of utensil commonly seen in the literature from the pre-Qin period to the Han dynasty.Some unearthed bronzes are referred to as Ping by scholars,but parts of them do not match the name while others are special in shape,that is,no regular features can be identified from those samples.Therefore it is necessary to define the shape and function of Ping and revisit its time of prevalence.In previous research Mr.Rong Geng,Mr.Wu Zhenfeng and other scholars had made explorations on the definition of Ping,yet failed to reach a consensus,until 1986 when the bronze vessel with straight neck and flat shoulder was unearthed from the No.2 Chu burial at Baoshan of Jingmen,Hubei Province,which brought up an important clue to solve this problem,as it’s consistent with the Ping recorded in historical documents in every aspect,whether its shape and function,or the combination of burial accessories it belongs to.So far there are about 16 pieces of such bronze Ping,which mainly prevailed in the Warring States period.After the early Western Han Dynasty,bronze Ping gradually disappeared.As a daily life utensil,pottery Ping made up the majority in the Han Dynasty,and are often unearthed along with wells and stoves.It’s regarded as a key component of the material culture of the Han Dynasty.In addition,bronze Ping was of high status among the bronze ritual vessels,obvious differences can be noticed between the bronze Ping and other popular vessels during the Warring States period and the Han dynasty,such as the garlichead Hu,bronze Zhong,jars for arrow-throwing,etc.